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Re: Bracketology - Big Dance Predictions - Thread

Originally Posted by CajunCrimson

I'd much prefer to be an 8 than a 10 or 11.......I realize how the bracket falls, but at some point you have to play a 1 seed.....might as well take one out early, when they may be overconfident. Hitting them later in the tournament when they are hitting their stride stinks. PLUS -- if you take out the 1 -- you get a 4 or 5 next..... much better than being a 10 then hitting a 2 seed, and a 3 seed on the way out....

I donít mind playing a 1 in any other year. Iím specifically talking Duke or Gonzaga this year. I donít think we would have any shot at either of those teams. By rule, we canít be in the same bracket with UT in the first 2 rounds. I would be intrigued by a potential matchup with UVA. Although we might have 1,000 turnovers vs them. Iím specifically talking this year, not any other year.

Re: Bracketology - Big Dance Predictions - Thread

Tier one: National championship favorites

2. Tennessee VolunteersIf you don't like one-and-done-led teams, then you should love Tennessee. This is an old-school team that has grown up together and is reaping the benefits of being a veteran group. The Vols are shooting better than 52 percent from the field in SEC play, and Grant Williams is living at the free throw line. Tennessee's games against Kentucky will decide the SEC race. The Wildcats will continue to get better as the end nears. There is reason to believe Tennessee will continue to get better, too.

5. Kentucky WildcatsDon't be too concerned about the loss to LSU. Kentucky is looking more like the team that was ranked No. 1 before the season. Is this team as good as Duke? No. But this team can beat Duke or anyone else. A major difference has been the stellar play of PJ Washington, who is averaging 21 points and almost six rebounds in his past three games. Washington is a legit pro.

Tier two: Final Four contenders

13. LSU TigersThe Bayou Bengals have legit talent and can really get offensive rebounds. What will hold LSU back from being among the very best teams is defensive rebounding and perimeter shooting. Tremont Waters is one of the best guards in the country and one of the very best little guards, along with Campbell's Chris Clemons, Miami's Chris Lykes and Marquette's Markus Howard.

Tier Three: Second-weekend contenders

23. Auburn TigersThe Tigers are a tough team to figure out in conference play. Auburn is now under .500 and one of the best offensive teams in the SEC. But while turning teams over and creating a chaotic game, Auburn is fouling too much and putting opponents on the foul line. Still, this is a team that should be a high seed in the NCAA tournament. If not, they will make life hell for an early opponent.

28. Mississippi State BulldogsThe Bulldogs have lost six of the past 11 games. Five of those losses have been by five points or fewer. Ben Howland's team is veteran and solid, though the Bulldogs can do a better job of taking care of the ball and getting into the paint more often.

Tier four: NCAA tournament-worthy teams

31. Ole Miss RebelsThe Rebels have lost five of nine even after the Auburn win on Wednesday and could be headed toward a .500 finish in the SEC. Still, this is a good team with very good guards. You have to defend the Ole Miss guards without fouling, as the Rebels shoot better than 77 percent from the line, third in the SEC and 10th nationally.

40. Florida GatorsThe Gators continue to cling to NCAA tournament hope despite a record that has floated right around the .500 mark in February. Mike White's group needs to get better around the rim to make a run -- their 45 percent clip on 2-point baskets is last in the SEC.

43. Arkansas RazorbacksDaniel Gafford gets 17 points and nine rebounds per game and remains a major handful around the rim for opponents. But if Arkansas is to win key games over the final weeks, that 66 percent team free throw percentage is going to have to improve.

Tier five: Scratching for at-large berths

46. Alabama Crimson TideAlabama has wins over Kentucky and Mississippi State already this season and has proved that it can play with anyone. The Tide's hopes down the stretch will be powered by leading scorer and facilitator Kira Lewis, who at 17 is the youngest regular in Division I.

Maybe I'm too much of a homer, but how can he have Arkansas ahead of Alabama with a 14-10 record and a NET ranking of 63?

"I don't know what class is but I can tell when one has it, you can tell from a mile away"
-- Coach Bryant

"We always talk about playing 60 minutes but this is a 60-10 game: the 60 minutes of the game and the 10 minutes in the locker room after the game that you remember for the rest of your life."
-- Nick Saban day after beating Clemson

Re: Bracketology - Big Dance Predictions - Thread

I may be jinxing us...but Florida "worthy"?? I guess their NET is high enough but it doesn't make any sense to me when I look at their schedule and record...

Their NET is 41. Alabamaís is 45.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

"I don't know what class is but I can tell when one has it, you can tell from a mile away"
-- Coach Bryant

"We always talk about playing 60 minutes but this is a 60-10 game: the 60 minutes of the game and the 10 minutes in the locker room after the game that you remember for the rest of your life."
-- Nick Saban day after beating Clemson

Re: Bracketology - Big Dance Predictions - Thread

This is probably an unpopular opinion but at this point I don't think we make the tournament. We would have to sweep the next 4 games (UF, at A&M, Vandy and at USC) then probably win at least 1 of the 3 against LSU, AU and at Arkansas. The way we're playing right now I just don't have a lot of faith that we can put together 4 strong performances in a row. Of course the SEC tournament is the wild card because we could win a few games in the tournament like last year and play ourselves in that way..

Re: Bracketology - Big Dance Predictions - Thread

Originally Posted by CrimsonForce

This is probably an unpopular opinion but at this point I don't think we make the tournament. We would have to sweep the next 4 games (UF, at A&M, Vandy and at USC) then probably win at least 1 of the 3 against LSU, AU and at Arkansas. The way we're playing right now I just don't have a lot of faith that we can put together 4 strong performances in a row. Of course the SEC tournament is the wild card because we could win a few games in the tournament like last year and play ourselves in that way..

Not so sure that I agree here. I think just 4 more wins total gets us in the tournament. 19 wins and then even just 1 in the SEC Tourney (I donít think we necessarily need that) We Have a good strength of schedule, plus are top 10, maybe even 5 in the nation in number of Quad 1 and Quad 2 wins. We have a good SOS. 19 wins and I think we are in. Now I do agree with everyone in here that Iím tired of the bubble watch as well, but we arenít as in as of a shape as you think we are.

Re: Bracketology - Big Dance Predictions - Thread

Originally Posted by BamaMike05

Not so sure that I agree here. I think just 4 more wins total gets us in the tournament. 19 wins and then even just 1 in the SEC Tourney (I don’t think we necessarily need that) We Have a good strength of schedule, plus are top 10, maybe even 5 in the nation in number of Quad 1 and Quad 2 wins. We have a good SOS. 19 wins and I think we are in. Now I do agree with everyone in here that I’m tired of the bubble watch as well, but we aren’t as in as of a shape as you think we are.

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I agree. I think with out Q1 record we can sneak in as a low seed assuming we beat Florida Saturday. It also assumes we beat A&M and Vandy. I think this is essentially a play in game. The pecking order in the SEC will be critical.

Here is the remaining schedule:
Florida Win
A&M Win
Vandy Win
Carolina Toss up
LSU loss- but it will be close.
Auburn win- I think we avenge our loss there, but not convincingly
Arkansas loss we could very well win this game, but Gafford is a horse. I think we'll struggle with him.
This leaves us at 19-12 or 20-11 depending on the Carolina game going into the SEC tournament. Assuming this holds true, I think we are in.

Re: Bracketology - Big Dance Predictions - Thread

Originally Posted by BamaMike05

Not so sure that I agree here. I think just 4 more wins total gets us in the tournament. 19 wins and then even just 1 in the SEC Tourney (I don’t think we necessarily need that) We Have a good strength of schedule, plus are top 10, maybe even 5 in the nation in number of Quad 1 and Quad 2 wins. We have a good SOS. 19 wins and I think we are in. Now I do agree with everyone in here that I’m tired of the bubble watch as well, but we aren’t as in as of a shape as you think we are.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Man I hope you're right because I really want us to make it. We could win a few games in the NCAA tournament depending on the matchups. I'm just skeptical that we can put together enough good performances over these last 7 games. It will also depend on how all the other bubble teams perform..

Re: Bracketology - Big Dance Predictions - Thread

Originally Posted by CrimsonForce

Man I hope you're right because I really want us to make it. We could win a few games in the NCAA tournament depending on the matchups. I'm just skeptical that we can put together enough good performances over these last 7 games. It will also depend on how all the other bubble teams perform and how the conference tournaments go..

FIFY

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

"I don't know what class is but I can tell when one has it, you can tell from a mile away"
-- Coach Bryant

"We always talk about playing 60 minutes but this is a 60-10 game: the 60 minutes of the game and the 10 minutes in the locker room after the game that you remember for the rest of your life."
-- Nick Saban day after beating Clemson